
Boston University offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities to its students. However, when it comes to international students, the availability of financial aid becomes more limited. International students at Boston University are generally not eligible for need-based financial aid or federal financial aid provided by the university or the government. Instead, they are encouraged to explore external scholarships and private loans to fund their education. Boston University does offer merit-based scholarships to international students based on academic, athletic, or artistic achievements. Additionally, private lenders and scholarship agencies provide opportunities for international students seeking financial assistance. It is recommended that students carefully compare the terms and conditions of different loans and scholarships to make an informed decision.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Need-based financial aid | Not available to international students |
| Merit-based scholarships | Available to international students |
| Federal financial aid | Not available to international students |
| Loans from U.S. lending organizations | Available to international students |
| Prodigy Finance loans | Available to eligible international students enrolled in GSDM and SPH |
| Employment | International students can contact ISSO for information on employment requirements and limitations |
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What You'll Learn
- Boston University does not offer need-based financial aid to international students
- BU does offer merit-based scholarships to international students
- Prodigy Finance offers loans to eligible international students
- Private scholarship agencies offer scholarships for international students
- International students can acquire loans from US lending organisations

Boston University does not offer need-based financial aid to international students
International students applying for admission to BU must present evidence of sufficient funds to cover tuition, fees, books, and living expenses for their studies. There are, however, other options for funding an education at BU. For example, Prodigy Finance offers loans to eligible international students currently enrolled in GSDM and SPH. Additionally, some private scholarship agencies offer scholarships for international students, though students must search for these scholarships themselves and submit applications separately from their academic program applications.
Students interested in private loans should compare rates carefully and understand their monthly repayment schedules. Some loans carry a variable interest rate, while others offer fixed-rate loans. It is possible for international students to acquire loans from US lending organisations, though in some cases, they must apply with a creditworthy US citizen or permanent resident as a co-borrower.
Boston University recommends that international students review all relevant topics when beginning their search for education financing.
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BU does offer merit-based scholarships to international students
While Boston University (BU) does not offer need-based financial aid to international students, BU does offer merit-based scholarships to international students. These scholarships are awarded based on academic, athletic, or artistic achievement, regardless of financial need. The admissions office of each school or college determines the recipients of these scholarships.
To be eligible for BU's merit-based scholarships, international students must present evidence of sufficient funds to cover tuition, fees, books, and living expenses. Additionally, international students at BU can explore external funding options, such as loans from U.S. lending organizations or private scholarship agencies. Prodigy Finance, for example, offers loans to eligible international students enrolled in BU's Graduate School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) and School of Public Health (SPH).
It is important to note that international students are not eligible for federal financial aid in the United States. However, BU encourages all students, including international students, to consider applying for financial aid, as there may be other forms of aid available beyond need-based scholarships. BU provides an online tool to help students and their families estimate the amount of financial aid they could be offered and the expected contribution toward the cost of attendance.
Overall, while BU does not provide need-based financial aid to international students, it does offer merit-based scholarships and encourages students to explore external funding options to support their education.
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Prodigy Finance offers loans to eligible international students
Boston University offers need-based scholarships to students demonstrating a combination of financial need and academic merit. However, need-based financial aid from BU is not currently available to international students. Nevertheless, international students at Boston University may be eligible for select merit-based scholarships offered by BU that recognize academic, athletic, or artistic achievement. Additionally, international students at Boston University can explore external funding options such as private scholarships or loans.
One such external loan option is Prodigy Finance, which offers loans to eligible international students. Prodigy Finance provides loans for graduate-level international students pursuing master's degrees in business, engineering, law, and public policy, as well as computer science, economics, science, or maths. To be eligible for a Prodigy Finance loan, students must be admitted to a supported school and programme. Boston University is one of the supported schools, and the eligibility of specific programmes can be confirmed through the Prodigy Finance school search page.
Prodigy Finance loan amounts are tailored to each borrower and are based on various factors, including pre-study salary, university and programme, outstanding liabilities and debt, countries of residence and nationality, and credit history. The loans are designed to cover the total cost of attendance, including tuition and living expenses. However, it is important to note that each university and programme has different terms for accepting Prodigy Finance loans, so students should carefully review the parameters of their programme before applying.
The application process for Prodigy Finance loans is straightforward. Applicants can submit their online applications and receive a personalised provisional offer within 15 minutes upon successful application. Applicants are not required to have an acceptance letter to apply but will need proof of admission to complete the loan process. Prodigy Finance also offers a co-signer loan option for Indian resident students, and borrowers can choose whether or not to have a co-signer.
Prodigy Finance is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for certain consumer credit activities, and its loans are governed by English law. The company is transparent about its fees, with only a processing fee required upfront and no hidden or collateral fees. Students can use the Prodigy Finance calculator to understand their total loan cost, monthly payments, and interest rates, which are based on a combination of fixed and variable rates.
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Private scholarship agencies offer scholarships for international students
Boston University does offer financial aid to international students, but it is limited to merit-based scholarships. BU's need-based scholarships are not currently available to international students. The admissions office of each school/college determines merit-based scholarship recipients. These scholarships recognize academic, athletic, or artistic achievement, regardless of calculated financial need.
There are also private scholarship agencies that offer scholarships for international students. However, students must generally find and apply for these scholarships themselves. Here are some examples of scholarships offered by private agencies for international students:
- East-West Center Scholarships and Fellowships: These scholarships are for international students from the Asia-Pacific region to study in the US within selected institutions.
- Japan-United States Friendship Commission: This initiative offers grant programs to Japanese students wishing to study in the US, and vice versa.
- Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholarship Program: This scholarship program covers the full cost of tuition and student fees for 11 exceptional Asian students to study at Wesleyan University in Connecticut.
- Fulbright Program: The Australian-American Fulbright Commission offers scholarships to Australian citizens at all career stages to pursue research or study at a U.S. institution.
- AAUW International Fellowships: These fellowships are offered by the American Association of University Women for female international students to study in the US.
- MIT-Zaragoza Women in Logistics and SCM Scholarship: These US scholarships are for female students of any age, ethnicity, or nationality, to study at the Zaragoza Logistics Center at MIT.
- Rotary Peace Fellowships: These scholarships are for master's degree students studying within one of Rotary's Peace Centers, such as Duke University or the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
- Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme: This program provides scholarships for postgraduate international students from African countries.
- Emory University Needs-Based Scholarship Program: This program offers funding opportunities for international students who can demonstrate financial need.
- Harvard University Scholarships: Harvard offers competitive international scholarships for students from all over the world.
- Illinois State University International Awards: Illinois State provides tuition waivers, merit awards, and graduate assistantships to incoming international students.
- Iowa State University International Merit Scholarships: This is a merit-based scholarship program for high-achieving international students.
- Michigan State University International Scholarships: MSU provides various grants and scholarships for international students.
- New York University Wagner International Scholarships: These scholarships are for international students to study at NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.
- MPOWER Financing's Chasing Dreams Scholarship: This scholarship is for promising international graduate students from China, with awards of up to US$5,000.
Students can also make use of online platforms that provide comprehensive lists of scholarships, grants, and awards available to international students. These platforms allow students to search for opportunities based on criteria such as location, subject of study, and student origin.
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International students can acquire loans from US lending organisations
Boston University does not offer need-based financial aid to international students. However, international students may be eligible for select merit-based scholarships offered by BU. These scholarships recognize academic, athletic, or artistic achievement, regardless of calculated financial need. BU's medical campus also mentions Prodigy Finance as a lender that offers loans to eligible international students enrolled in GSDM and SPH.
International students can also acquire loans from US lending organizations. However, international students do not have access to federal student loans and scholarship opportunities are scarce. Thus, they may need to turn to private lenders that offer student loans for international students. These include banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Most loans for non-US citizens will require a US co-signer, which can improve the chances of approval and lower the interest rate. The co-signer must be a US citizen or permanent resident with good credit who has lived in the US for the past two years.
There are also international financial aid options from third-party organizations, such as the Fulbright Foreign Student Program and the Open Society Foundations, which offer student aid for non-citizens studying in the US. Additionally, international students can research funding opportunities from their country's embassy or governmental educational office to identify scholarships, grants, and other financial aid awards.
Before applying for a loan, international students should check with their college to see if they offer financial aid and consider finding an advising center to help navigate the process. They can also use online tools and platforms, such as loan comparison tools and financial wellness platforms, to explore their options and estimate their financial aid needs.
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Frequently asked questions
Boston University does not offer need-based financial aid to international students. However, international students may be eligible for merit-based scholarships offered by BU, which are awarded based on academic, athletic, or artistic achievement.
Some private scholarship agencies offer scholarships for international students. For example, the P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund is available to female international students studying in the U.S.
International students can acquire loans from U.S. lending organizations, either with a co-borrower who is a credit-worthy U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or without one. Prodigy Finance, for example, offers loans to eligible international students enrolled in GSDM and SPH at Boston University.











































